Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Display the picture The Birth of Jesus. Explain that the New Testament records the birth of Jesus in Jerusalem. The Book of Mormon is a second written witness of Jesus Christ and tells what happened in the Americas when he was born.

Have four children take the parts of Lehi (600 B.C.), King Benjamin (124 B.C.), Alma (83 B.C.), and Samuel the Lamanite (6 B.C.). Have the children read each prophet’s prophecy about the birth of Jesus Christ from the following references: Lehi, 1 Nephi 10:4; King Benjamin, Mosiah 3:5; Alma, Alma 7:10; and Samuel the Lamanite, Helaman 14:2.

As each prophet is identified, let one child hold the picture of the prophet as another child reads the scripture.

Scripture Account

Using the pictures at appropriate times, teach the accounts of Jesus Christ’s birth and mission as told in the Bible and the Book of Mormon. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture accounts, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.) Emphasize that the Bible was written in and around Jerusalem and that the Book of Mormon was written thousands of miles from Jerusalem in America.

Explain that the Bible and Book of Mormon were written by several different prophets. As passages are read or referred to, tell the children whether they were written by prophets in the Holy Land as recorded in the Bible or by Book of Mormon prophets from America.

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

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Six hundred years before the Savior’s birth, what did Nephi say the name of the Son of God would be? (2 Nephi 25:19.) What did Nephi and Isaiah prophesy about the Savior’s mother? (1 Nephi 11:13, 18; Isaiah 7:14.) What did Alma prophesy would be the name of the mother of the Son of God? (Alma 7:10.)

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Who was Jesus’ Father? (Luke 1:35. Heavenly Father.) Who was Joseph? (Joseph was Mary’s husband. Explain that even though Heavenly Father was the Father of both Jesus Christ’s body and spirit, Joseph took care of Jesus and raised him as a father would raise a son.) Just before the birth of Jesus, what did the angel tell Joseph to name the baby? (Matthew 1:21.)

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

1.

Let the children follow the example of Jesus Christ by choosing an individual gift of service to give to someone for Christmas. Give each child a pencil and a piece of paper to write about their gift and how they plan to give the service.

2.

Ask the children to share family traditions that remind them of the birth and life of Jesus Christ. Younger children may like to draw a picture of their family participating in the tradition.

3.

Display picture 4-9, Jesus the Christ (Gospel Art Picture Kit 240; 62572). Let each child tell a Christmas experience that helps him or her remember Jesus Christ throughout the year.

Sing or read the words to “Away in a Manger” (Children’s Songbook, p. 42) or “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, p. 34).

Conclusion

Testimony

Share your testimony that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Express gratitude for having the Bible and the Book of Mormon as witnesses of Jesus Christ’s life and mission.

Give the children an opportunity to express their feelings about the Savior and what he means to them. Challenge the children to take time during the Christmas season to think about Jesus Christ and all he has done for us.

Suggested Family Sharing

Encourage the children to share with their families a specific part of the lesson, such as a story, question, or activity, or to read with their families the “Suggested Home Reading.”